Brits spurning all-inclusive deals to splash the cash

Bargain-hunters planning all-inclusive holidays in Europe could find the cost of their trip sets them back hundreds of pounds more than they originally expected when they paid for their package. 

The latest Post Office Travel Money All-Inclusive Holiday Report, published this week, has found that significant numbers of holidaymakers now venture beyond their all-inclusive hotel and splash extra cash on meals and drinks in local restaurants and bars.

At a time when nearly one-third of parents have told the Post Office they plan to take an all-inclusive holiday this summer, the research reveals that more than two-thirds of families spent an average of £233 extra on meals and drinks away from their hotel on their last European all-inclusive holiday.

Almost 7-in-10 parents (69 per cent) paid for meals in local resort restaurants at an average cost of £62.

The extra money spent means many families could pay between 10-15 per cent on top of their all-inclusive package, depending where they visit.

Many people racked up extra bills for meals, drinks and other items in European all-inclusive resorts as well – making the potential cost of this type of holiday even higher. More than four-in-five parents (85 per cent) said they expected all meals to be included in their package.

Yet, almost a quarter of them paid extra for these in their resort – spending an average of almost £54 extra on meals on top of their paid-for package.

Even more families paid extra for drinks in their hotel on their last European all-inclusive holiday. Almost 2-in-5 of those surveyed said they spent an average of more than £43 on international brands of alcohol, a third spent £44 on bottles of wine, 37 per cent spent almost £27 on bottled water and 3-in-10 paid £41 extra for cocktails.

A third spent £40 on drinks made with local alcohol brands – commonly believed to be free on all-inclusive packages.

Once again the research found big differences between the numbers of people spending extra in European and long-haul all-inclusive resorts. More of those on European holidays paid out for drinks that were not included in their all-inclusive package. However, far more people chose to pay extra for the privilege of a la carte dining in long-haul all-inclusive resorts – 40 per cent of survey respondents compared with 24 per cent in Europe.

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: ““Over the past four years our annual research has consistently shown that European all-inclusive resorts offer less than holidaymakers expect so it is important for families to be aware of what is included in their package to avoid getting caught out. If you have already booked an all-inclusive holiday, budget carefully and allow for the extra costs you are likely to incur.

“On the plus side, the powerful pound means that all-inclusive holidaymakers who want to get a real flavour of their holiday destination can eat and drink in local restaurants and bars more cheaply this year. However, it is best to be prepared and take enough foreign currency to cover the extra cost of items bought outside the all-inclusive resort – particularly as some restaurants are reluctant to accept credit or debit cards.”